The comparative study of diaphyseal fracture of shaft of humerus treated with dynamic compression plate (DCP) versus intramedullary interlocking nailing

Abstract

Introduction: There is still no consensus regarding management of fracture shaft humerus. We performed a prospective and retrospective study to compare clinical and functional outcome of humerus shaft fracture fixation by Nail and Plate Material and Methods: The study was performed at tertiary care centre after taking necessary approval from institutional ethics committee. Fourty patients were followed up for minimum six months. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks and at the end of six months. Plating as well as nailing patients were included in the study. Results: In this study age ranges from 19 to 74 years with an average 33.22 years. The overall mode of injury in both groups was Road Traffic Accident (RTA) in 34 (85%), Fall 2 (5%), other causes, including industrial injury, assault in 4 (10%) cases. Average time taken for radiological healing overall was 16.83 weeks. In the interlocking group 18.95 weeks and plating group 14.72 weeks. So the healing rate was relatively faster in the plating group as compared to the interlocking group. Conclusion: Clinical and functional outcome after fixation of fracture shaft of humerus by plate and nails both were better (assessed by ASES Scores) with less postoperative complications. Both the modalities of treatment i.e. Plating and Nailing are good as far as union of the fracture is concerned, but considering the functional outcome and rate of complications, we are of the opinion that Plating offers better result than Nailing which is compared and evaluated statistically.